If you have made the decision to have permanent makeup done, choosing a reputable and experienced artist should be first on your list.
Why so? Consider the fact that this person will be tattooing your face, and it's not something to be taken lightly. Permanent makeup is just that, "permanent."
It's very different than getting a bad haircut.
What are some important things to look for?

First of all, you want to "interview" several artists. Do they offer a free consultation so that you can meet with them prior to making your
decision? A consultation can be done in 10 minutes, so many artists offer free consults and schedule them between clients. When you request a consultation, do
they balk at this, and pressure you to come in and have the work done without a consult?
When you interview an artist, make sure this person has good before and after photos of work they have done. Do they have photos of "healed" work? Are the photos
almost "too" perfect? Remember in this day and age, pictures can be photoshopped. Portfolios of before and after photos can also be purchased from suppliers. Are
the photos they are showing you the actual work of the person you are interviewing?

Ask them how long they have been doing permanent makeup. If they tell you they have been in the business for 5 years, do they mean they have actually been doing
permanent makeup for 5 years, or are they really saying that they have been in the
beauty industry for 5 years? Perhaps they have been a nail technician or a regular makeup artist for 5 years, and the reality is they have very little
experience doing permanent cosmetic makeup. Their answer can be misleading if you don't probe. Can they produce proof that they are being truthful, perhaps showing you
licenses or certificates of training that prove they are giving you accurate information regarding their experience level? Ask to see their current State license.

Do they make claims that permanent makeup is "painless?" Although most artists have access to very good anesthetics that numb the client during the procedure, some clients
are resistent to anesthetics. An artist can't ethically guarantee that a procedure will be completely painless. If they do so, they are not being truthful. I tell people
that most clients are very comfortable during a procedure, however I can't guarantee a pain free procedure because results vary from individual to individual.

Do they have clients fill out paperwork prior to doing a procedure? Most health departments require that artists provide paperwork and disclosures prior to tattooing.
A good artist will also have you fill out a medical history questionairre to make sure that you are a candidate for permanent cosmetic makeup. Health issues such as Lupus,
Type 1 Diabetes, and blood thinners are all contraindications for permanent makeup. If an artist skips over the paperwork, you should skip over the artist !

Do you like the artist's work? Do they listen to what you say and are they open-minded regarding your wishes? Some artists are very arrogant and only want to do
what they feel will look good on you, without taking your ideas into consideration. I personally have turned work away because I felt the client was requesting something
not in good taste , however I am always open to clients' suggestions. Let me show you an example. The following photo is a client who came to me with her eyebrows drawn on
as you see in the first photo. If this client had insisted that I tattoo her brows this way, I would have turned her away. However this client was very open to my suggestions,
and the second and third photos show what I ended up doing for her. The brow will heal lighter and softer
than you see in the photo. This client simply did not know how to draw her brows on, and needed my help. I was happy to do so:

Other issues to consider are pricing, and whether the artist gives a free touchup. Permanent makeup is a process, and usually takes 2 sessions to complete. The
second session, a "perfecting" session, is done 4 to 6 weeks after the initial permanent makeup procedure. Is the artist willing to do this perfecting session for free? Or do they
charge you if a touchup is needed? Does the artist offer aftercare instructions? Do they suggest an aftercare ointment, or perhaps provide ointment for you to take home after the procedure? These are
questions you also want to ask in your interview.

Can they provide references from former clients? This is MOST important, as you want to find out how others feel about their experience with this artist, how their
permanent cosmetic makeup has healed, etc.

These are a few things to look for when choosing a reputable permanent cosmetic makeup artist. If you have questions concerning this advice, feel free to contact me
at my email address,livelyterry@gmail.com